Multiselective phonograph



Feb. 29, 194.4. L F EAKlNs 2,342,652

MULTISELECTIVE PHONOGRAPH Feb- 29, 1944- J, F. EAKINs MULTISELECTIVE PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 15, 1942 :s sheets-sheet s @@DQEBQ @Us n Patented Feb. 29., 1944l asiassz MULrIsELEc'rlVE rnoNoGnaPn John F. Eakins, Evanston, lll., assignor to J. P.

Seeburg Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application February 13', 1942, serial No. 430,105

Claims.

This invention relates to multi-selective phonographs and particularly to the selective mechanism therefor.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved selective phonograph.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved simple phonograph adapted for the selection of a plurality of recordings and adapted to reproduce the recordings in the order in which they are selected.

Other objects, advantageas and'capabilities of the present invention will appear from the fcllowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: j

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a selector embodyin-g the invention associated with phonograph elements with which the same is adapted to cooperate;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail of part of the selector mechanism takenon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3. is a plan view of the separator mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of the selector mechanism taken on .the line 4--4 oi' Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional plan view showing mechanism which prevents selection of more than one record at one time and also coin controlled means whereby selection may be limited to a number corresponding to the coin or coins inserted by a patron.

My improved. selector may be used Awith any phonograph comprising individualV selector means corresponding to individual recordings. For example. my improved selector may be readily associated with the phonograph described and -ual pins I0 each of which corresponds to a certain position of a shaft 'II and the position of that shaft causes a corresponding recording to be played bythe phonograph. Each Din I0 is adapted to be moved to an elevated position .(leIt-hand side vof Fig. 2) by means of a solenoid I2. there being one solenoid I2 associated with each pin IU.

The pins III rest upon the armatures I3 of the solenoids. It will readily be understood with reference to Fig. 2 that when a solenoid I2 is enersized, its armature I3 moves upwardly and the pin I0 resting on that armature is moved to'an elevated position.

The armature I3 is provided with a collar I4 of insulating material, this collar being normally in contact with a conductive ring I 5.' When the armature I3 is moved upwardly, a conductive collar I6 thereon engages the conductive ring I5 and this completes the circuit of the motor of the phonograph so that the same is put into operation.

The phonograph remains in operation as long as any of the pins I0 is in elevated position. Furthermore, after all the pins III and armatures I3 are depressed to normal position, the phonograph motor continues to operate by virtue of a holdover switch until the record corresponding to the last pin I0 has been played.

After the playing of each record, the shaft II is rotated by the phonograph motor through friction driven means until an abutment I1 carried on a disk I8 rigidly mounted on the shaft II engages an upwardly displaced pin III. If there is no upwardly displaced pin III, the record-changing operation of the phonograph opens the holdover switch (not shown) and brings the operation of the motor to a stop.

As fully described in the application referred to, each pin I0 and its associated solenoid I3 is returned by an electromagnet I9. When the disk I8 is arrested by engagement of a pin I0 bythe abutment I1, a pin 20 is located above and in alignment with the pin I0. The upper end of the pin 20 is adaptedltc be engaged by the armature 2I of the electromagnet Il. A spring 22 normally biasses the pin 20 upwardly. It will readily be understood that when the electromagnet I9 is energized, the armature 2l moves downwardly and forces the pin 20 downwardly against the action of the spring 22, thus returning the pin III, which is in alignment with the pin 2li. toits normal position, and returning the corresponding armature I3 to its normal position.

From the foregoing it will readily be understood that the phonograph referred to is one in which any desired number of records can be played by merely and momentarily energizing the corresponding solenoids I2. It the phonograph of the above-identified application has a plurality of its solenoids I2 energized. then the order in which the corresponding selections will be reproduced will be independent of the order of selection. The order of playing will depend upon the initial position o f the abutment I1 and the location of the corresponding solenoids I2 and pins .I II in their circular series.`

My invention employs the general principle of having a plurality of separable elements each corresponding toone particular recording.

' When each recording is selected, a corresponding element is released and means areprovided for locating a plurality of such elements in a series corresponding to the order of their release. Each element is displaced individually in order and is moved into a path depending upon its own dis tinctive characteristics. Means Aare provided with that path for the actuation of the selective member corresponding thereto.

While the elements may have any of aplurality of'individual features whereby the same may be classied and separated, I prefer to employ members which aire diierentiated from each other by size and I prefer to employ a separating mechanism depending for its operation upon the differentsizes of the elements. Thus, in the preferred form of the embodiment; I provide a plurality of balls 23 of varying sizes, the balls of one size corresponding to one recording. the balls of another size corresponding to another recording, and so forth.

If desired, a single ball corresponding to a ksingle recording may be emfployed. I prefer to providea plurality o f balls of each individual size and this enables a patron to select a program in which any recording may be included for a plurality oi' times, such recording being, of course, reproduced in the proper order of selection as indeed are all the recordings.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that I provide three balls of each size and that these balls are normally located in individual tubes 24. The lowermost ball is located in anA opening in a slide 25 which is arranged to be displaced inwardly bya handle 26 which is located outside the housing 21 in which the selector mechanism and' rality of ball-receiving hoppers 4I each of which gives in to one of the vertical tubes 24. It will thus be seen that these vertical tubes receive balls of increasing diameter from left to right as viewed in Fig. l.

Thus. if the ball which was elevated by the rack 31 is of size No. 5, then it rolls down the chute. 39 and drops into No. 5 tube 24. That is, when the ball reaches a stepped portion of the slot 40 of width equal to or just slightly more than its diameter, it drops through the slot into the corresponding hopper 4I and into the corresponding tube 24. l In thus falling, the ball is adapted to close an individua1 switch 42, there being one switch 42 for each tube 24, each switch being actuated by balls of only one size. Each switch is connected in circuit to one of the solenoids I2, each solenoid l2 being in series with, one of the switches 42 and with the battery 3|.

' When the rack 31 moves upwardly, a detent 43` on the armature of an electromagnet 44 entersinto a recess 45 on the rack', the detent 43 being biassed towards the rack .by a compression spring 46., Thus, the rack 31 is held in elevated position for some time ,after it moves into that position.

moves into a tube 29 which is adapted to receive 'I any and all'of the balls in series. A ball in the lower end of the tube 29 is arranged to engage a switch 30 and close the same. The switch 30 is connected to a suitable source of current such as a battery 3| and also to a solenoid 32. The

armature 33 of the solenoid -is integral with a rack 34.

When thesolenoid 32 is energized, the rack 34 d "31 which is guided for vertical movement by means of a guide housing 38. The rack 31 serves as a ram. being adapted to engage the lowerxnost ball in the tube 29 and to elevate it up into the dotted line position in Fig. 1. I'he movement of the rack 31 is' limited by any suitableme'ans (not shown) so as to transfer the lowermost' ball from the tube 29 up to the high end of a track 39 which forms part of the ball separator or classiiler.

- 'I'he ball thusA elevated rolls down this track 39. As best shown in Fig; 3, the track is provided with a longitudinal slot 40 which increases in width in the high to low direction. As best seen in Fig. 3, the increase may be in consecutive steps. lAlong the slot 40 are arranged a plutromagnet I9.

The electromagnet 44 is in seriesvwith the battery 3i, with the switch 41, and with the elec- The switch 41 is part of the phonograph .referred to, being momentarily closed during each `record-changing operation.

It will be noted that when the switch 41 is momentarily closed,` the electromagnet I9 and the electromagnet 44 will be energized simultaneously. The corresponding-pin Ill will thus be returned and at the same time the detent 43 will will be withdrawn from the rack 31 so that this rack is free to descend to .normal position in alignment with the lower endof the 'tube 29.

^ The rack 31 is so 'arranged that it -does not close theswitch 3D. Consequently, when the rack 31 is in its upward position, the switch 30 is opened. When the rack 31 retum-s to its lowermostposition, the next ball in the tube 29 impinges against the switch 30 and closes it, thus again energizing the solenoid 32 and elevating thel next ball.

The operation is as follows: Assuming the phonograph to be out of operation, all the pins I0 are down. 'I'he operator now pushes a plu- Vrality of the buttons 26 one after the other. The iirst one which he actuates discharges th'e corresponding ball 23 into the tube 29 and the balls line up in the tube 29 in the order in which he presses the buttons 26. Thus, the balls may de- V No, 1, No. 10.

The iirst ball No. 7 closes the switch 30 which energlzes the solenoid 32 and this rst ball is immediately moved up to the trough 39. It descends down this' trough until itgets over' the No. 7 tube 2.4 whereupon it falls into that tube. 'I'he plunger 31 moves upwardly and the ball No.

5 leans against it at the bottom of the tube 2s'. Bali No. 1 leans against ball No. 5 and ball No.

The operationof the phonographmotor rotates* the shaft il until abutment I1 engages No. '1

- pin In, thus arresting shaft Il and mechanism associated therewith No. 7 position. No. 'I record is then moved out and playedI and during the moving out operation, the switch 41 is closed and the electromagnets- I9 and 44 are energized. No. 7 pin t0 is thus returned and detent 43 is withdrawn from the recess 45 so that the plunger 31 moves down to normal position. The motor continues to operatefor the playing of selection 4 No. '1 by virtue o! the holdover switch.

wardly the No. 5 pin I0 and completes a shunt circuit for the motor so that the same does not cease to operate when the holdover switch opens in the next record-changing operation. No. 5 pin is the only pin in the upward position and after No. 7 record is played and the recordchanging cycle begins, the projection I1 engages No. 5 pin Il) and recording No. 5 is played. It will readily be apparent that the operation just described is repeated with No. 1 ball 23 and No. 10 ball 23. When No. 10 record is played, no pin I0 or armature I3 is in elevated position. When the holdover switch again opens, the motor stops until the operator again releases a ball 23 into the tube 29.

Of course it will -be understood that any series of recordings may be selected in order, and that this series may include a plurality of balls 23 corresponding to a single recording. Thus, the

operator may select No. 10, No. 5, No. 3, No. 5, and No. 1, if he desires, and the corresponding recordings will be played in this order.

If desired, the phonograph may be arranged for coin control. In Fig. 5 I havev shown a modi--l cation forv this purpose. In this modification each of the plungers is provided with a wedgeshaped projection 49 which is adapted to project through a longitudinal channel 59. I'he channel 50 contains a series of plungers 5I of equal size, theplungers being as long as the spacing between two adjacent buttons 25.

The right-hand plunger 5I is biased inwardly by a spring 52 which is connected to a pin 53 which projectsirom said plunger through a slot 54 in the channel 50. The slot 54 and pin 53 are so arranged that when the plungers 5I are moved inwardly by the spring 52 to' their innermost position, adjacent ends of the plungers will be located in alignment with the wedge-shaped points of the projections 49. When in this position the right-hand plunger 5I is adapted to be vengaged by a bolt 55 which is normally biassed by a spring 55 into alignment with the, plung- The bolt 55 is adapted to be withdrawn from this position iby means of a solenoid 51. It will be understood that when the bolt 55 is in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 5, it is impossible to move any of the buttons 25 inwardly. When, however, the solenoid 51 is energized, the bolt 55 is moved rearwardly, viewed in Fig. 5, and then any one o! the buttons' 25 may be moved inwardly.

'Iwo buttons 25 cannot be moved inwardly because the channel 5l is not sumciently long to accommodate all the plungers 5| and more than one of the projections 4I. Whenone of the buttons 251s moved inwardly, the plungers 5I to the right of that button are moved to the right.

None of the other buttons)25 may be moved in, even partially, until after the first-named button 25 has been released and its projection 49 has been withdrawn. The plungers 5I to the right of the actuated button 25 have their points of engagement out of alignment with the projections `49. The plungers 5I to the left of the actuated button 25 have their points of contact in alignment with projections 49 but these plungers 5I cannot move either to the left or to the right owing to the engagement of the left-hand plungers 5I with the end of the channel 50 and l the engagement of the right-hand plunger of this group with the straight edge of the actuated projection 49. Consequently, a second button 25 cannot be actuated until after the first button is released and until it moves back to its normal position. Even then another button cannot be actuated unless the bolt 55 is moved out of alignment with the plungers 5I by energization of the solenoid 51.

Each time that one of these projections 49 is moved forwardly to enable its associated slide 25 to drop a ball 23 into the channel 28, the projection 49 engages an element 55 carried on a pivoted bail 59 and moves the bail 59 rearwardly in such manner as to close a switch 50. The switch 60 is normally held open by a spring 6I which` is connected to the bail 59 and to any suitable fixed point on the machine. The solenoid 51 isconnected through a switch 52 to any suitable source of power. lThe switch 52 is normally held open by the engagement of a pin 63 on the credit wheel 54 with a lateral extension on the end of oneof the switch arms. The credit wheel 54 may suitably be a ratchet wheel mounted for rotation and provided with a spring-pressed plunger 55 which tends to hold it in its position of adjustment.

.The switch 50 is connected in series with a source of -power and with an electromagnet 55.

This electromagnet is provided with a pivoted armature 51 which is normally biassed away from the wheel 64 by means of spring 58. Each time the switch 50 is closed, the electromagnet 65 is energized and the armature 51 is moved downwardly. The armature 51 is so formed that it engages the credit wheel 54 and moves it one tooth in the counterclockwise direction each time that the switch 55 closes. It is to be noted that the pin 53 is able to pass the arms of the switch 52, this pin only engaging the lateral projection of one of the arms of the switch 6 2 in the position shown in Fig. 5.

The credit wheel 54 is adapted to be moved in the opposite direction, that is, the clockwise direction, by'means of the armature 59 of an electromagnet 1I). 'I'he armature 59 is biassed upwardly by a spring 1I and is arrangedto engage the credit wheel 54 and move it one tooth in the clockwise direction each time that the electromagnet 10 is energized. I'he electromagnet 19 is connected to any suitable coin actuated switch.

Thus, I may provide the phonograph with three chutes 12 adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters. 'I'he nickel chute includes one switch 13 adapted to be closed by the passage of a nickel. The dime chute includes two switches 13 adapted to be closedby the passage of a dime. The quarter chute 12 includes ilve switches 13 each adapted to be closed by the passage of a quarter. All switches 19 are connected in parallel and are connected in series with the electromagnet 15 and with a source of 'power'.

The operation is as follows: The `solenoid 51 is normally deenergized and the bolt 55 is normally in augment with the 'plungers 5l. The points of contact between adjacent plungers 5l are in alignment with the projections 49 of the slides 25. None of these slides can bemoved inwardly because it is necessary for one or more of the plungers 5| 'to move to the right to permit such inward movement.

Assume now that a patron drops a coin in one of the chutes 12, then the electromagnet 10 is energized once, or a plurality of times. For example, if a quarter has been inserted, the electromagnet isenergized ve times. The armature 6l moves downwardly five times and moves the credit wheel 64 ive steps inthe clockwise direction. Ihe movement of the pin 63 with the credit wheel 54 closes the switch 62 and the solenoid 51 is energized. The bolt 55 is moved rear- V wardly, as viewed in Fig. 5, and now the patron the electromagnet 66 is energized once. The energization of the electromagnet 66 moves the armature 61 downwardly once and consequently the pin 63 is moved one step towards its initial position. When the last selection paid for, for example, the fifth selection, is being made, the switch 60 is closed for the fifth time, the farmature 61'moves downwardly for the fifth time, and that brings the pin 63 into a the switch 62.

The solenoid 51 is deenergized and the spring 56 moves the bolt 55 forwardly. As 4the button l 26 is released or 'is allowed to move back by the operator, the associated wedge-shaped projection 59 is withdrawn forwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5,

`and the plungers 5l to the right of it move to the left so as to bring the two separated plungers 5iv into engagement again with their point f contact in alignment with the wedge-shaped end of its projection I9. During this inward movement, the bolt 55, which is provided with a slop- 5 ing end, moves forwardly and when the actuated button 26 has moved completely outwardly again,

the bolt 55 again assumes locking position.

Although I have described this invention in connection with certain Vspeciilc elements such as balls of varying sizes. it must be understood that my invention is not intended to be limited'thereto, since objects of other shapes may obviously be employed, if desired. Furthermore, I do not intend to be limited to selective separation of elementsby size, since it is obvious that any other physical property ofsuch objects may be employed, if desired. My invention contemplates `the provision of a plurality of individual elements having characteristics whereby they may Abe separated, and selecting means for arranging any of these different elements in arr order corresponding to a program which the operator desires to beplayed in order, and means whereby these elements may be used individually for the selection of its corresponding recording..

Although the invention has been described in connection with specic details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of position to open y th'e invention, except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

l. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording, means for -releasing said elements in desired order, means for collecting said released elements in said order, separating means for separating each individual element from all other elements corresponding to other recordings, means for removing said elements one at a time and in said order from said series and supplying said elements to said separating means, means eiective after the reproduction of a recording for operating said removing and supplying means, and individual selector members adapted to be actuated by individual elements after said separation.

y 2. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording, the elements corresponding to different recordings having diierent physical properties whereby they may be separated, means for releasing said elements in desired order, means for collecting said released elements in 'said order, separating means for separating each individual element by said physical properties from all other elements corresponding to other recordings, said separating means comprising a plurality of individual paths for said elements, means for supplying said elements individually and in said order to 'said separating means, means eiective lafter the reproduction of a recording for operating said supplying means, and individual selector members in said paths adapted to be actuated by individual elements after said separation.

3. A selectorfor automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording and possessing individual'physical properties whereby each may be separated from'all other elements corresponding to other` recordings, means for forming a series of said elements in desired order, a separator adapted to separate'v said elements vby virtue of their differential physical properties and comprising means a providing-a plurality of individual paths for the individual elements, means for periodically supplying said elements one after the other from said series,

means eil'ective afterthe reproduction of a recording for operating said supplying means, and

I prising a plurality of elements each individually corresponding 'to an individual recording and possessing individual physical properties Whereby each may be separated from al1 other elements corresponding to other recordings, means be. actuated bythe corresponding individualfor -formlng'a series of said elements in desired order, a' separator adapted to separate said elements by virtue. of their diilerential physical properties and comprising' means providing a plurality of individual paths for the individual elements, means for periodically supplying said elements.' one after the other from said series, andindividual means in said paths adapted to members for initiating the playing of the cor` responding recording, andmeans actuable by said phonograph after the reproduction of a re' cording forcontrolling the supply. of the next individual element from said series to said separator.

f 5, A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of freely movable elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording and possessing individual physical qualities whereby the elements corresponding to one recording can be separated from all other elements corresponding to other recordings, manually operable means whereby any plurality of said elements can be arranged in a series in desired order, separating means for separating individual elements from all other elements corresponding to other recordings and including individual receptacles corresponding to individual recordings, means actuable by the phonograph after the reproduction of a recording for supplyingsaid elements one at a time to said separating means, and individual means associated with said receptacles for controlling the playing of the corresponding indiidual recordings.

6. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a. plurality of elements each individually corresponding to an individua-l recording, individual receptacles each adapted to receive a plurality of identical elements corresponding to an for returning said selector means to normal position, a plurality of freely movable elements corresponding to individual recordings and each having physical properties whereby the same may be separated from all other elements corresponding to other recordings, manually operable means for forming a series of said elements in desired order, a separator for separating said individual elements into a plurality of paths corresponding in number to the corresponding recordings, automatic means for transferring individual elements from said series and in the series order to said separator, means associated with each of said paths whereby the passage of an element therethrough effects the actuation of the corresponding selector member and closes said switch means, and means actuable by said individual recording, means for dischargingfany desired. element from its receptacle, means for collecting said elements in the order in which they are discharged, separating means for separating each individual element from all other elements corresponding to other recordings, means individual to said-individual elements for controlling the playing of the corresponding recording, `meansfor supplying said elements in said order from said collecting means to said separating means, and means eiective after the reproduction of a recording for operating said supplying means, whereby the recordings corresponding to the collected elements are played -in said order.

switch means for putting the phonograph into phonograph after the reproduction of a recording for controlling the operation of said automatic means for supplying said elements one at a timeto said separator whereby said elements are supplied periodically to provide a continuous program.

9. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality. of elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording, the elements corresponding to each recording having dierent sizes than all other elements, means for releasing said elements in desired order, means for collecting said released elements in said order, separating means for separating each individual element from all other elements by virtue of its individual size, means for removing said elements in said order from said series and supplying said elements to said separating means, means effective after the reproduction of a recording for operating said removing and supplying means, and individual selector members adapted to be actuated by individual elements after said separation. p

10. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of elements individually corresponding to an individual recording, the l,elements corresponding to diierent recordings having different sizes whereby they may be separated, means for releasing said elements in desired orderh means for collecting said released elements in said order, separating means for separating the elements of different sizes,jsaid separating means providing a plurality of inelements in desired order, a separator for sepa' responding recordings, automatic means for Vtransferring individual elements from said series and in the series 'order to said separator, means associated with each of said paths whereby the passage of an element therethrough en'ects the actuation of the'corresponding selector member and^closes said switch' means, and means actuable by the phonograph after the reproduction of a recording forcontrolling the operation of said automatic means for supplying said elements to said separator whereby said elements are thus supplied one at a time between recording reproductions to provide a continuous program.

8. In a phonograph selector, in combination, switch means for putting the phonograph into operation, lindividui-r1 selector means movable from normal to actuated position and each determining individually the playing of a corresponding recording, phonograph actuated means dividual paths for the separated elements, means for supplying said elements individually and in said order to said separating means, means effective after the reproduction o'f a recording'for operating said supplying means, and individual selector means in said paths adapted to be actuated by' individual elements after said separation.

11. A selector for automaticwphonographs comprising a plurality of elements each individually' corresponding to an individual record- -ing and being of individual sizes whereby each maybe separated from all other elements 'corresponding to other recordings, means for forming a series of said elements in desired order, a ,separator adapted to separate said elements by virtue of their diierent sizes and comprising means providing a plurality of` individual paths for the individual elements, means for periodically supplying said elements one after the other -from said series, means eiective after the reproduction of a recording for operating said supplying means, and individual means in the said paths adapted to be actuated by the -cci:-

playing of the corresponding recording.

12. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording and being of individual sizes whereby each may beAseparated fromall other elements corresponding to other recordings, means for forming a series of said elements in desired order, a separator adapted to separate said elements by virtue of their diiIeren-t sizes and comprising means providing a plurality of'individual paths for the individual elements, means for periodically supplying said elements one after the other from said series, individual means in the said paths adapted to be 'actuated by the corresponding individual members for initiating the playing of the corresponding recording, and means actuated by said phonograph after the playing of a recording for the operation of said'supplying means to effect the supply of the next individual element fromy said series to said separator.

13. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality oi freely movable elements each individually corresponding to an individual recording and possessing individual sizes whereby the elementsvcorresponding to one recording can be separated from all other. elements corresponding to other recordings, manually operable means whereby any plurality of said elements can be arranged in a series in de sired order, separating means for separating individual elements from all other elements corresponding to other recordings by virtue of their different sizes and including individual lreceptacles corresponding to individual recordings,

means controlled by said phonograph after the reproduction of a recording for supplying one of said elements to said separating means, and individual means associated with saidreceptacles for controlling the playing of the corresponding individual recordings.

14. In a phonograph selector, in combination, switch means for putting the phonograph into operation, individual selector means movable from normal to actuated position and each determining individually the playing of a corresponding recording, a plurality of freely movable elements corresponding to individual .recordings responding individual members for initiating the A passage of an element therethrough eiects the actuation of the corresponding selector member and closes said switch means, and means controlled by the phonograph after the reproduction on a recording for eecting the operation of -said automatic means for supplying said elements to the separator whereby the said elements are supplied periodically to provide a continuous program.

15. In a phonograph selector, in combination, switch means for putting the phonograph into operation, individual selector means movlable from normal to actuated position and each d termining individually the playing of a corresponding recording, phonograph actuated means for returning said selector means to normal position, a plurality of freely movable elements corresponding to individual recordings and each having an individual size whereby the same may be separated from all other elements correspond. ing to other recordings, manually operable ineans for forming a series of said elements'in desired order, a separator for separating said .i individual elements into a plurality of paths corresponding in number to the corresponding recordings, automatic means for transferring individual elements from said series and im the series order to said separator, means associated with each of said paths whereby the passage of an element therethrough effects the actuation of the corresponding selector member and closes said switch means, and means controlled/by the phonograph -after reproduction of a recording.

for eiecting the operation oi' said automatic means for supplying said elements to said separator whereby said elements are supplied periodically to provide a continuous program.

JOHN F. EAKINS. 

